Leading D.L.T

There are many danger on the internet, but protecting your children begins with showing them how you protect yourself! Here’s a few ways to do so
-Landon

Both are scheduled Recent research from the National Library of Medicine shows that nearly 74% of middle schoolers are already using platforms like Instagram or Snapchat, and about 43% of them joined at age 10 or younger. Studies also suggest that kids who start social media before age 11 are more likely to experience online harassment, and experience fomo, and develop more problematic screen habits. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that not all social media use is negative, many kids use it to support friends, stay connected, and engage in positive communities .
So what does this mean for parents? It’s not just about whether kids are on social media, but when and how they’re using it. That’s why having open, ongoing conversations matters. Ask questions instead of making assumptions, find out who they’re talking to and what they enjoy. Talk honestly about risks like bullying, peer pressure, and online safety. Set clear but reasonable boundaries, because research shows even simple limits on screen time can help reduce negative effects.
So take the time to talk and have those hard conversations now before it's too late. Remember that the internet can be dangerous but it also can bring people together.
Stay safe out there.
-John

The best way to keep your kids safe on social media isn’t just slapping on restrictions. It starts with trust. Make time to actually hang with them, listen without jumping in with a lecture, and be real about your own online wins and mess-ups. When they feel safe talking to you, those tough conversations about drama, pressure, and weird DMs? They get so much easier. Then layer on the smart stuff turn on those built-in parental controls, set daily screen limits, and use the web restrictions.

Trust first + boundaries second = way healthier online habits.

-Charles

According to the NIH, around 95% of teens between the ages of 13-17 have at least 1 social media account and at least 1/3 of them using it actively. According to the CDC, 20% of teens in the US are dealing with mental health issues. There are plenty of ways to get help, there is an emergency being 988 in the US. You can also reach out to 911 in case of mental emergency for you or your child. Lastly, before an emergency, therapy is a great option. Of course, watch your children’s social media use, and attack mental health at the root of the issue.
-Landon

Social Media has helped worsen mental health problems in teens.
Data over the past decade shows a noticeable rise in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among adolescents, trends that began rising around 2012, coinciding with the widespread adoption of smartphones and increased social media use. At the same time, teens are spending less time engaging in face-to-face interactions and more time online.
Emerging studies now provide stronger evidence suggesting that social media may not only be associated with these mental health challenges, but could also contribute to them.
Here are some links that go into detail about the problem.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/04/25/1171773181/social-media-teens-mental-health
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/
Stay aware of the problems your child may face.
-John

Social Media and Teens’ Mental Health: What Teens and Their Parents Say Parents are more worried than teens about teen mental health. Both groups – especially parents – partly blame social media. But teens also see benefits.

A quick word from Payton about how to set a screen time password on your device to protect your child from harmful content. Stay safe out there!

Many of us connect to free Wi-Fi at cafes, airports, hotels, and stores without thinking twice. But this convenience comes with serious risks.

Risks:
-Hackers can easily spy on your activity, including passwords and personal information.
-Your data is often collected and sold by the services providing the "free" access.
-Unlimited free internet exposes children and families to scams, predators, and harmful content.
-It can also lead to addiction and reduced real-life connections.

Stay Aware.

-Charles

What are the most common scams for teens?
-Catfishing
-Fake Contests
-Game trading
-Phishing
-Sexstortion
This is far from a full list of scams. Make sure you check in with your teens about their online experiences.

-Landon Stoub

A quick word from Payton regarding a Pew Reasearch Center study on the types of scams and how often they occur.